Mayor Rod Finnie says residents with suggestions on how Erin can spend the $622,448 infrastructure grant recently received from the federal government should contact the town.
Though the final decision rests with council, Finnie said it would be interesting to hear all the ideas from the public and narrow them down to the top three for council’s consideration.
The mayor mentioned several possibilities for the cash, including a wind or solar energy project, transportation project, bridges, roads, a trail system, a bus to connect to the GO station in Georgetown, water system upgrades, waste water plans, an addition on the arena, new medical centre, new fire hall, etcetera.
Clerk Kathryn Ironmonger said a boardwalk along the river behind businesses on Main Street in Erin could be another possibility.
Councillors John Brennan and Josie Wintersinger liked the idea of getting the public’s feedback and also endorsed the mayor’s suggestions.
Councillor Ken Chapman however, said the money should be used for a project “already on the books” to help give residents a tax break.
“This money is coming out of taxpayers’ pockets and Erin residents overpaid,” Chapman said.
Sideroad 5 would be a perfect example of a project that’s already on the books, councilor Barb Tocher said, supporting Chapman’s idea. Tocher said while she has no problem asking for the public’s opinion, staff needs to be consulted as well, and at the end of the day it’s councillors that will make the final decision. After all, she said, councillors have a better idea of the town’s needs because they have more information available to them.
And asking for suggestions from the public means there will be a lot of disappointed people when the final decision is made, Tocher added.
Finnie agreed that may be the case, but said he still wanted to invite public input. He said any residents interested can write or email the town (council@erin.ca) with their ideas.
